Photographing The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: The Shapes and Patterns of Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park - Photo by Jay Moore

My Story Behind This Image

One of my goal with my photography when I was visiting the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park was to find and photograph shapes and patterns that included sweeping, soft lines. I wanted to highlight the large flowing dunes interesecting with each other, letting the viewers your eye wonder around the final image. Then it happened.

I had just finished capturing very similar composition of the layers of dunes sprawled out in front of me when I put my camera down to scan the horizon for other interesting compositions with the contrast of the bright dunes against the shadows of the late afternoon. The sun was nearing its final decent and I knew I only had a few minutes before that brilliant light was gone. Just at that moment, I noticed a person pop out from behind one of the larger dunes of what I was just photographing. The presence of a person alone in the vast layers of sand and desert moved me and I couldn't get the camera to my eye fast enough.

I quickly focused on the subject and snapped a few frames. I wasn't happy with the results. So, I zoomed in on the subject slightly and snapped a few more frames. I still wasn't happy. I zoomed in to almost 200mm, which compressed the scene and gave me the depth within the image that I was looking for. I snapped a few frames. AND BOOM. The lines and shapes of the desert where now popping within the scene better. I captured the subject as they walked along the hot dunes and adjusted my composition to include him within one of the 1/3 intersections of the frame, giving the overall image a stronger focal point within all the beautiful lines and shapes of the dunes where creating.

Tips Photographing in Death Valley National Park

Along with my story about the image, I want to share some of my top tips for finding shapes and patterns in Death Valley, along with photography techniques to help you capture the beautiful moments in this sparse landscape.

Death Valley National Park provides a remarkable setting filled with beautiful shapes and patterns. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is one of the parks focal points, known for its alluring curves and shadows and offering unique photographic opportunities.

Explore the Dunes

To truly uncover the beauty of the dunes, you must explore the area first. I recommend visiting late in the afternoon a couple hours before sunset. So you can get yourself orientated before the beautiful golden light shows up.

• Start by walking out into the dunes. Get to the top (or near the top) of one of them, look around and try and visualize what image you want. And then go to that spot.

• Like in the image above, the low angle of the sun during sunset adds depth and dimension to the dunes, highlighting the shapes beautifully. You want to make sure you're AT your location when this is happening, NOT hiking to your location.

• As you walk through the dunes, you might encounter different perspectives and hidden forms that can inspire your photography. Don't be afraid to pivot if your eye sees a NEW perspective that you feel is better than the original idea.

  
  

Look for Contrasting Elements

Finding contrasting elements within the landscape can enhance the shapes of the dunes. Focus on items like people, rock formations, desert plants, or even animal tracks that can add depth to your photos.

• For instance, when the subject popped out from behind the dunes, I knew instantly that the person within the sand dunes would create contrast and a visual interest within my scene.

Photography Techniques for Capturing the Landscape

Once you have identified subjects and shapes, the challenge becomes capturing them in a way that creates interest within your image. Here are some potential techniques to hopefully help your landscape photography:

Use Different Angles and Perspectives

Perspective can make a huge difference in your photographs. Experimenting with various angles and focal lengths can reveal unique characteristics that you might not notice otherwise.

• Try getting low to the ground to emphasize the scale of the dunes, or step back for a broader view that showcases the vastness of the landscape.

• Adjust your focal length, like I described above, to let your subject take up more of the image and story of the scene.

• Wind and sand are not friends with your camera and lens. Make sure you select the lens you want to use BEFORE hiking out into the dunes. Changing lenses while in the dunes is not recommended. Do what I did ... consider taking TWO cameras on your hike, one with a zoom lens (70-200mm) and the other with a wide lens (15-35mm).

  
  

Play with Light and Shadows

The play of light can help significantly with your photography. During the golden hours of the day, the light creates long shadows and helps accentuate the texture within the sand.

• Pay close attention to how light interacts with the dunes, creating rich contrasts and adding depth.

• Light against shadow is your friend. Find the angle that gives you those elements and then work on finding compositions that includes that contrast.

  
  

Effective Tips for Capturing Challenging Landscapes

To photograph the landscapes of Death Valley National Park, especially during the golden hour, consider these photography tips:

• Use a Tripod: Stabilizing your camera allows for longer exposures, which can enhance beauty in low light situations. Or can help keep your subject in frame, letting you focus on settings and composition.

• Adjust Your ISO Settings: Quick lighting changes are common; adjusting your ISO lets you adjust without sacrificing your cameras settings. Always try to stay within 100 or 200 ISO, but don't be afraid to push it to 400 or even 800 in certain situations.

• Utilize Polarizing Filters: I use a combination of Breakthrough Filters (3-stop and 6-stop Polarizing Filers, along with a 10-stop ND filter) as they help minimize glare and make colors pop, particularly in the sand and sky (especially skies with big puffy clouds) leading to more dramatic imagery.

• Don't Forget the Foreground: Including elements in the foreground can create depth and guide the viewer’s eye into the scene.

  
  

Mastering Composition

Strong composition is crucial in landscape photography. This is a life long journey for me and one that I'm always working on.

• Rule of Thirds: Dividing your frame into thirds helps position key elements tastefully, often resulting in a more balanced image.

• Leading Lines: Use natural lines—like the curves of sand—to direct attention toward your main subject, enhancing visual interest.

• S-Curve: Use elements within your scene to create a flowing S through your scene.

• Other: Comment on my post to let me know your favorite composition.

  
  

Final Thoughts on Your Photography Journey

Exploring and photographing the unique shapes and patterns of Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park is something I always love doing and I can't wait to go back. I hope this image and words above help inspire you to plan a future trip to this wonderful National Park.

If you're interested in the image above, Click the link below to purchase a print. Limited Edition, Museum Grade Acrylic Prints are available. If you don't see this particular scene in that folder, email me and I'll open up this series for you.

Death Valley National Park - Print

Rainbow Over Monument Valley: Being Ready And Making Your Own Luck

Rainbow Over Monument Valley - Photo by Jay Moore

My Story Behind The Image

I had given up. I had gone back to bed. I had woken in the early hours and the storm was still raging and the rain was pelting down on our RV. I quickly looked outside and I decided that the morning was a wash and went back to bed.

That was until one of my best buddies, who we were traveling with on this trip, knocked on the window of our RV and said, "you better get out here, NOW."

I jumped up, grabbed my gear, which was already sitting by the door, and jumped out of our Motel on wheels to have this beautiful rainbow smack me right in the face. I literally ran across the southwest desert to quickly find a composition with Mitchell Butte within the scene and was able to snap off a few frames.

The intense light and double rainbow only lasted for about 2-3 minutes. When I stopped running in the sand to a spot I liked, I had my long lens (70-200mm) already on my camera, so I didn't want to waste time switching lenses, so I framed it up with a section of the lower rainbow nestled up to the butte and started clicking away. I only had time for a few adjustments to my composition. I then swtiched over to my wide angle lens soon after and grab a few nice images. However, I always gravitative to one of my first images I captured as my favorite, the image you see above.

Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you make your luck and sometimes you just need a good friend to have your back.

The Technique Behind Capturing A Rainbow In Nature

Now we have the backstory of one of my favorite images I've ever captured, I'll share my top tips for preparing to photograph a rainbow, optimal camera settings, and how to make sure you don’t miss out on that breathtaking sight, if you're lucky enough to see one when you're in the field photographing nature.

Preparing to Photograph a Rainbow

1. Be Aware of the Weather: Rainbows occur when sunlight filters through raindrops, typically after a rainstorm with the sun behind you. So, don't get discouraged if there is a thunderstorm happening or it's currently raining. You need drama in the sky for dramatic landscape photography.

   
   

2. Choose the Right Location: Most times this is not an option, but when you see 'rainbow weather' you should try and select a spot with an unobstructed view of the sky and horizon and where the sun is coming in behind you (see bullet above)

   
   

3. Prepare Your Gear: Make sure your camera, tripod, and any lens filters are ready when the opportunity arises. Using a filter, like I did in the image above where I used my 3-stop Polarizer from Breakthrough Photography on my lens, helps intensify colors and reduce glare, making your rainbow pop within your image.

   
   

4. Patience is Key: Rainbows can be unpredictable. Be ready to wait, and take this time to absorb your surroundings. And back to bad weather (see bullet point 1), you can't have a rainbow without rain. So, be patient and hope for the best.

   
   

Camera Settings for Photographing a Rainbow

1. Aperture: To best capture the vibrant colors of a rainbow, set your aperture between f/5.6 and f/8. This range captures the entire arc while allowing sufficient light. But, remember, every lens is different, so make sure you know where your lenses 'sweet spot' is, so when the rainbow shows up, you're not messing around with your camera.

   
   

2. Adjust Your Shutter Speed: Depending on the lighting conditions, your shutter speed may vary. A faster shutter speed between 1/250 and 1/500 seconds can help freeze the moment, especially in bright light. This might need to be adjusted if you're trying to include motion within moving water or if you're on a tripod and you can have a slower shutter.

   
   

3. Set the ISO: Keep your ISO low, ideally around 100 or at your cameras native ISO. This minimizes noise in your images, giving you an oppotunity to print and display your image someday on your wall. With today's technology, I'm fine with sometimes getting up to ISO 400 or even 800 in certain circumstances.

   
   

4. Shoot in RAW: ALWAYS SHOOT IN RAW. This setting allows for significant flexibility during post-processing, enhancing colors and adjusting exposures without sacrificing quality. There are many differnet sensors on the market. Some lean toward the red spectrum, some to the green spectrum. You want to make sure you have the most control of your colors when you're back home editing your files.

   
   

The Art of Rainbow Photography

Photographing a rainbow is not just about capturing an image; it’s about enjoying the experience of nature. The thrill lies not only in achieving that perfect shot but also in the adventure of seeing and enjoying a rainbow in the field. It doesn't come around too often, so, if it does for you, embrace the moment, click away and I hope you come away with a portfolio type piece that someday can hang on your wall.

If you're interested in the image above, Click the link below to purchase a print. Limited Edition, Museum Grade Acrylic Prints are available. If you don't see this particular scene in that folder, email me and I'll open up this series for you.

Rainbow Over Monument Valley - PRINT

Capturing the Magic: My Unforgettable Moraine Lake Sunset in Banff National Park

Moraine Lake Sunset - Photo by Jay Moore

Witnessing a sunset at Moraine Lake in Banff National Park is nothing short of magical. Imagine a group of 10,000+ foot high mountains towering over a crystal-clear turquoise lake, perfectly reflecting the vibrant colors and light of the sunset. As a nature lover and professional landscape photographer, I was excited to soak up this moment in time. What followed was an adventure full of excitement and a lesson in patience.

The Journey to Moraine Lake

I took the small hike up to the boulders on the edge of Moraine Lake, as the refreshing mountain air filled my lungs. Surrounded by towering peaks and lush forests, I felt like I was stepping into a stunning painting, one that I had been looking forward to photographing for many years. Like I've preached for many years, I arrived a little over an hour before sunset like usual, as the golden hour was suppose to beginning its glowing dance over the rugged terrain. The excitement bubbled inside me as I envisioned the breathtaking photographs I was about to create. However, the moment wasn't turning out how I hoped for.

Patience with the Sky

As we got closer to susnet, my anticipation grew, however, things weren't perfect. But, when are they ever when you're in the field photographing nature. There was a small cloud cover overhead and my patience became my close ally as I settled in, waiting and hoping for it to clear. As the hour passed, the clouds begain breaking up a little, but they still partially obscured the sun and it's beautiful rays from landing on the mountainside. But, instead of feeling frustrated, I embraced the stillness around me and tried to just soak up the beautiful scene around me. And about 15 or so minutes before sunset, the clouds finally shifted and began separating just enough to let the suns rays burst through onto the scene. The intense bright light and dark shadows was mesmerizing and because I was prepared, set up and ready, I was able to capture the image you see above. The light popped for only about 2-3 minutes before the intensity shifted once again. But by then, I had already captured the moment.

The Magic of Nature

When the clouds finally parted that evening and I was met with a breathtaking display of nature, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for being in such a magnificent place. Watching light change on this particular sunset was another reminder of the wonder that surrounds us, unpredictable, yet always rewarding.

Tips for Photographing Sunsets

Here are a couple of tips that can benefit you when capture such a dramatic scene:

• Plan Ahead: Knowing the sunset time and location can help you prepare and arrive early (at least an hour) to find the best spots.

  
  

• Experiment with Angles: Don’t limit yourself to one position. Moving around can reveal hidden perspectives and opportunities for breathtaking shots.

  
  

• Find 'The Spot': During the time before the dramatic light hits, know exactly where you want to be for when it does. Set up your tripod, camera and lens. Then take your camera off your tripod and look around for other places, capturing images throughout your small walk around. That way you get slightly different perspectives of the location, but more importantly, if and when the light changes, your tripod is ready for you to pop your camera back on and start firing away.

  
  

By applying these tips, you can enhance your photography skills and capture magnificent sunsets like the I captured during my time at Moraine Lake.

Reflecting on an Unforgettable Experience

My adventure at Moraine Lake on this evening was not just another photography outing; it was a journey into the heart of nature’s artistry. As I packed my gear to leave, I reflected on the stunning views I had experienced, feeling both inspired and full of natures energy. I encourage every nature enthusiast and landscape photographer to plan a trip to Banff National Park and witness a Moraine Lake sunset within the boulders.

This stunning location embodies the essence of Banff National Park and I can't wait to visit again, hopefully sometime soon.

Interested in this particular image and want to purchase a print, click the link below. And if you're interested in a limited edition acrylic print, please email me and I will open up this series and you can get the opportunity to purchase the First of 100.

Moraine Lake Sunset - Prints